Highway robbers hit a dead end

20 August 2018

Just after 16:30 on Sunday, 19 August 2018 the Metro Police Tactical Response Unit was alerted that a motorist, stuck on the side of the N2 near Macassar, had been robbed.

Officers responded and, while interviewing the driver, they were approached by people who had been chopping wood nearby who led them to robbers’ hideout. The officers caught the four smoking drugs in a backyard shack in Macassar and a quick search revealed the driver’s cellphone and power bank. Officers also found 30 rounds of ammunition of various calibre firearms.

The motorist positively identified the suspects, who refused to admit what they did with her other belongings. The four suspects, aged between 22 and 32, were detained at Macassar SAPS on charges of robbery and illegal possession of ammunition.

‘A special word of thanks to those individuals who came forward to assist the Metro Police officers in tracking down the suspects in this case. I hope that they will remain behind bars until the case against them is finalised. Given the ongoing challenge of safety on the highways, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it turns out that these suspects are somehow linked to other incidents,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security; and Social Services, Alderman JP Smith.

Elsewhere, the Metro Police Department arrested two dozen other suspects on various charges including drunk driving, drug possession and crimen injuria.

Cape Town Traffic Services arrested 115 suspects, impounded 61 vehicles and issued 3 426 fines for various offences in the last week.

Of those arrests, 109 were for driving under the influence.

Officers also impounded 25 amaphela taxis during operations in Gugulethu and Philippi; as well as 23 minibus taxis and 13 scholar transport vehicles during operations in the CBD and Plumstead.

The City’s Law Enforcement Department made 11 arrests, including eight for possession of drugs, two for possession of ammunition and one for possession of a dangerous weapon.

During a joint operation with SAPS in Ocean View and Masiphumelele on Friday 17 August 2018, Law Enforcement officers arrested six suspects for drug dealing and possession of drugs. A 52-year-old woman and 17-year-old youth were arrested for possession of 41 9mm rounds and six .38 special rounds of ammunition and a 32-year-old man was arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon.

Elsewhere, Law Enforcement officers arrested a suspect for possession of mandrax on the Grand Parade, while the Social Housing Unit apprehended an 18-year-old in possession of ten packets of tik in Lavender Hill.

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